Saturday, March 27, 2010

The ancestral Buddhists made a good beginning of Buddha Sasana. It starts with the most supreme refuges. They are known as the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Samgha. When one becomes a Buddhist he recites heartily: “Buddham saranam gacchami, Dhammam saranam gacchami, Samgham saranam gacchami”. This only firm promise makes someone vow to keep the Five Precepts (Panca Sila). Hence, the Buddha Sasana ends with an arahant fruition.

1. Paying Homage
For paying homage to the Buddha by means of the fivefold manner of touch, say the words in Pali and act at the same time: Buddham Pujemi, Dhammam Pujemi, Samgham Pujemi. I pay homage to the Buddha, I pay homage to the Dhamma, I pay homage to the Samgha.

2. Asking for Permission
The devotees first pay homage to the Buddha by reciting the words of obeisance in Burmese* of asking for permission as follow:

2a. Obeisance: Okasa, okasa, okasa! Venerable Sir, once,twice,thrice to tri-ratana, parents and teachers, I respectfully and humbly raise the two palms together to the forehead, in obeisance, adoration and subdue pride, so as to be free from all offences, done physically, verbally and mentally.

2b. Prayer: Owing to meritorious deeds of the benevolence, may I always be liberated from the four Apayas, the three Kappas, the eight incongruous locations, the five enemies, the four destructions and the five losses and may I very quickly attain Magga, Phala and Nibbana.

Venerable sir, I ask for the five precepts together with the three refuges. Please help me observe the precepts out of compassion for me, ven sir.
For the second time . . . For the third time . . . _ ditto _